Alabama

Foley defensive lineman Darius Paige participates in a drill as as members of the Foley football team practice for the upcoming 2012 season at Foley High School in Foley, Ala., Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2012. (Press-Register, G.M. Andrews)

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Now it's clear how there is room for freshman offensive lineman Bradley Bozeman on Alabama's 85-man roster of football players on scholarship.

Freshman Darius Paige is not on the roster because of medical issues, Alabama coach Nick Saban revealed Friday at his first news conference of the 2013 preseason camp.

Bozeman previously had been designated to sit out the fall semester as a greyshirt, but he has joined the team and will practice Friday night with other newcomers.

"Darius Paige has medical issues that has caused our medical staff to think that it is not safe for him to play, so he has been medically disqualified," Saban said.

"He is here, and we are helping to support him. He will be on scholarship. he will get an education, but our medical staff is working with him right now to try to help improve his condition. I can't comment any further on that."

Paige sent a tweet on Thursday night in reaction to the news: "Being leftout is the worst feeling ever!! :("

Saban was asked about Bozeman's addition in relation to Paige's subtraction.

"Our numbers were where they needed to be, relative to initials and 85 and all of that," Saban said. "When Darius didn't pass the physical and got medically disqualified, that gave us an extra spot."

Paige was a four-star signee who played last season at Foley High School. Previously he played at Washington High School in Pensacola, Fla.